Friendship Quote by George Bernard Shaw
““HIGGINS I find that the moment I let a woman make friends with me, she becomes jealous, exacting, suspicious, and a damned nuisance. I find that the moment I let myself make friends with a woman, I become selfish and tyrannical. Women upset everything. When you let them into your life, you find that the woman is driving at one thing and you're driving at another. PICKERING At what, for example? HIGGINS Oh, Lord knows! I suppose the woman wants to live her own life; and the man wants to live his; and each tries to drag the other on to the wrong track. One wants to go north and the other south; and the result is that both have to go east, though they both hate the east wind.””
About This Quote
Source Play: Pygmalion, 1913
The speaker laments that relationships with women lead to conflict and mutual misdirection, suggesting inherent incompatibility.
In simple terms: Women cause conflict in relationships.
Key Takeaway
Recognize differing goals in partnerships.
Themes
relationships
conflict
gender dynamics
miscommunication
Mood
frustrated
reflective
Type
dialogue
dramatic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- romantic partnership
- friendship
- team projects
Key Concepts
misunderstanding
power dynamics
communication gaps
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you navigate differing life directions?
- Can mutual respect resolve the “east wind”?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all women behave similarly, ignoring individuality.
![“PICKERING:Excuse the straight question, Higgins. Are you a man of good character where women are concerned? HIGGINS [moodily]:Have you ever met a man of good character where women are concerned?” quote by George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ea5/george-bernard-shaw-68_good-character_pickering-excuse-the-straight-question-h_2643358.jpg)
